BILL NUMBER: SB 899 VETOED DATE: 09/30/2008 To the Members of the California State Senate: I am returning Senate Bill 899 without my signature. While I support the intent of this bill to reduce the quantity of abandoned fishing gear in the ocean, this bill would result in substantial, unsustainable costs to the Fish and Game Preservation Fund and the General Fund. Given our ongoing budget issues, I cannot support such a measure at this time. I encourage the author and stakeholders to work with the Department of Fish and Game to convene a group to develop a workable program that does not rely exclusively on government funds and employees for this effort. For this reason, I am returning this bill without my signature. Sincerely, Arnold Schwarzenegger